When Will Santa Drop by Your House? Track His Every Movement With NORAD

A tradition since 1955, NORAD is once again tracking Santa Claus on his journey around the globe December 24.

About 1,250 Canadian and U.S. military personnel, as well as civilian Defense Department employees volunteer their Christmas eve to track Santa's sleigh and field calls from children all over the world.

This year, NORAD has added important protections for the cyber era.

"They tell me that their 'Anti-Grinch Firewall' is up and monitoring for threats, and they are confident that the AGFW, anti-Grinch firewall, can defeat any malicious attacks," said Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby at his daily press briefing last week.

NORAD has kept tabs on Saint Nick for nearly 50 years. It all began when a newspaper accidentally printed the phone number of NORAD's predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command, stating it was the number for Santa Claus. Children started calling in droves. Now in 2014, you don't have to call in, you can track Santa's path here starting at 6 a.m. on Dec. 24: 

(Image via freesoulproduction/Shutterstock.com)